PHILIPPINE SEA – The guided-missile destroyer USS Reuben James (FFG 57) received 400 boxes of Girl Scout cookies on April 8, from a Minneapolis Girl Scout who sold and donated the cookies for the Sailors in appreciation for their military service.

Amelia Kimball, the young Girl Scout, found it difficult to deliver the cookies to the crew of Rueben James, but with the help of Mothers of Military Support group of Elmore, Minn. and Southwest Airlines. The cookies made it to their final destination.

Reuben James’ Commanding Officer Cmdr. Miller said receiving the shipment of cookies held a special significance, because the came from an area near his home town.

“Anytime we have a taste of home be it Girl Scout cookies or mail it always something special,” said Miller. “In today’s Navy there’s many ways to keep in contact with people back home, but nothing beats receiving care packages of Girls Scout cookies.”

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bart Fields, from Tampa, Fla., was one of the many Sailors that said he appreciated thought and gesture in sending cookies to the ship.

“It made me feel like I was home again,” said Fields. “I want to send out a big thank you to everyone who had something to do with making this happen.”

The shipment consisted of 250 boxes of cookies for a crew of 225, along with letters and cards from elementary school children thanking the Sailors for their service to the country.

Reuben James’ Command Senior Chief Johannes Gonzalez said it’s always nice to see his forward-deployed Sailors receive support from the U.S.

“It’s a morale booster,” said Gonzalez. “It’s nice to see them smile and enjoy a flavor from back home; home for us is everywhere in the U.S. For Sailors to receive those thoughts on paper is really great, it’s a great ‘pick me up’ for us.”

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